In case you are wondering what a posthole is and why you would need to dig one, here's the answer! You need a posthole if you're planning to put up a fence or adding a lean-to patio in your back or front yard. This is the hole where individual posts and poles will go in, creating the support structure for your building project. Now that you know what a posthole is, it will be easier to follow the process outlined for digging postholes.
You have the choice of digging postholes manually or using a powered digger. No guesses as to which method most people would readily choose! However, digging a posthole manually is not as tough as you might think! This is due to a marvelous invention known as the posthole digger. You need to know how to handle one properly and once you've mastered the technique, you can dig to your heart's content.
Remember to equip yourself with the necessary protective equipment always – work gloves are most important, as are safety goggles and ear protection. Get out a measuring tape, pencil and paper and make a note of the measurements you will need for placing individual posts, as well as the size and depth on the individual holes. A standard measurement for a posthole is one where the hole is about a foot wide and about two feet in depth. The dimensions of the posts you will be using as part of your building project, will give you a better idea of how deep and wide the posthole needs to be.
A very important and useful suggestion, when digging postholes, is to saturate the digging area with water! It makes the ground softer and easier to dig, so you will need lesser effort than otherwise necessary. Once the ground is wet, place the end of the posthole digger on the spot where the hole will be and push the digger in using your hands and feet. Use the clipping action of the digger, to break through sections of the earth below ground, going as deep as you need to. Simultaneously, use the digger to make the hole wider. At this point in time, concentrate on your clipping action and less on the scooping out of the loose soil. Once you're satisfied with the depth and width of the hole, bring the blades of the digger together and start scooping out the loosened soil and other debris. At the end of this exercise, you should have a nice posthole, ready to install a post for your fence or other construction.
Simple, is not it? Nevertheless, be prepared to spend some time and hard labor, especially when you have more than two holes to dig! The solution – get someone to spell you with the digging, or rent a powered posthole digger. Happy digging!